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The Latest In Tech News InformationSat, 15 Dec 2018 06:52:52 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.1125253101JLAB Epic Air Elite True Wireless Sports Earbuds Full Reviewhttp://calixtechnews.com/2018/12/jlab-epic-air-elite-true-wireless-sports-earbuds-full-review/
http://calixtechnews.com/2018/12/jlab-epic-air-elite-true-wireless-sports-earbuds-full-review/#respondThu, 13 Dec 2018 02:11:50 +0000http://calixtechnews.com/?p=2462When using over outlandish words to sell your product, you may be met with some side eyes and a few brows raised. Fortunately, some companies deliver on these claims such as the JLAB Epic Air Elite True Wireless Sports Earbuds. These bad boys are garnering such widespread acclaim that they are currently on back order, meaning if you order now, you may receive them after the holidays. No worries though, while you’re waiting for your pair to come in, continue to read on for what to expect.

With nearly a 4.5 star rating, the JLAB Epic Air Elite True Wireless Sports Earbuds come with the fitness ear hook design, so they wrap your ears perfectly and stay in place. Whether you are on the run for a marathon or making gains at the gym, the JLAB earbuds are the elite gym buddy to fuel your drive in any physical activity.

One feature that truly highlights the uniqueness of these earbuds is the custom EQ3 sound. What is EQ3 you ask? You get to choose the way you listen to your music and the kind of setting for every mood. From choices between the JLAB signature sound (best align with most types of music and genres), Balanced (best with podcasts, audiobooks, and classical music) and the ultimate Bass Boost (utilize this setting for when you’re going hard at the gym and pairs best with electronic and hip-hop sounds). This special multi-faceted layer of the JLab sound makes all the difference as it stands out from other typical earbuds currently on the market.

Battery life is top notch with a 6-hour capacity in each earbud and additional 32-extra hours included with the charging case. That’s a total playtime of 38 hours of non-stop listening power. These second-generation JLAB earbuds also feature an IP55 sweat proof rating, meaning even if you’re dripping buckets or get caught in a torrential downpour, the earbuds weather any type of storm.

JLAB Epic Air Elite True Wireless Sports Earbuds includes 7-sets of silicone gel tips 1 set of Cloud Foam ear tips, 2600mAh battery charging case, Be Aware Audio (which allows surrounding noise in when needed), and a 2-year warranty. Retails for $149, the JLAB Epic Air Elite True Wireless Sports Earbuds are also available on Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.

]]>http://calixtechnews.com/2018/12/jlab-epic-air-elite-true-wireless-sports-earbuds-full-review/feed/02462Jabra Elite 65t Full Reviewhttp://calixtechnews.com/2018/12/jabra-elite-65t-full-review/
http://calixtechnews.com/2018/12/jabra-elite-65t-full-review/#respondWed, 12 Dec 2018 02:31:23 +0000http://calixtechnews.com/?p=2452Cutting the chord is the theme for 2018. No longer do consumers wish to hassle with wires of any kind or having to replace them due to wear and tear. Wireless headsets are the future and provide much-needed convenience and adaptability to those individuals on the go. Next level wireless headsets need to last all day, seamlessly switch between music and talk, provide superior listening quality to rival any typical surround sound entertainment system, oh and not break the bank. Allow me to introduce you the Jabra Elite 65t.

Claiming to be “engineered for the best true wireless calls and music experience,” the compact duo listening devices contour to your ear shape and stay in place without fuss. With four-microphone technology, the earbuds do stay true to their word as calls and music face virtually no wind interference. Conversations stay crystal clear with the options to include or reduce ambient sounds. Quality of calls and noise intrusions stay to a minimum, which maximizes the ability to hear and be heard.

With wireless devices, battery life is crucial. Jabra Elite 65t earbuds are encouraged for all day usage. With up to 5 hours off a single battery charge, it’s better to keep the portable charging case with you for an additional 10 hours of juice, charging case is pocket-friendly; an added bonus for sure. The aesthetic of the listening devices also comes in three luxury shades of Copper Black, Titanium Black, and Gold Beige.

One major point to note is the seamless and proven connectivity of the Jabra Elite 65t. Known as a ‘third generation true wireless product,” Jabra’s reputation does exceed itself when it comes to its impeccable record of connectedness. Dropped calls are a thing of the past as these earbuds demonstrate the ability to take calls and listen to music without the redial and apology. Bluetooth 5.0 provides a continuous link with any smartphone device and your Jabra Elite 65t.

Lastly, durability reigns supreme when it comes to a proper and functional device. Featuring an IP55-rated design along with a 2-year warranty against damage from water and dust, Jabra Elite 65t is built to work. Retails for $169.99, a bit higher end but worth the splurge, the Jabra Elite 65t is also available on Amazon, Best Buy, and Verizon.

]]>http://calixtechnews.com/2018/12/jabra-elite-65t-full-review/feed/02452GroundUp ~ A New Wave of Political Changehttp://calixtechnews.com/2018/08/groundup-a-new-wave-of-political-change/
http://calixtechnews.com/2018/08/groundup-a-new-wave-of-political-change/#respondMon, 27 Aug 2018 08:03:17 +0000http://calixtechnews.com/?p=2241With the current political climate and all that is happening in the world, if you feel changes need to be made, know that you are not alone. Many people across the US are looking to push toward positive change, to help shift the culture that’s been cultivated over the last year under the current political administration. Ways to get involved to help invoke change primarily revolve around speaking out and getting involved in your local / state governments or making monetary donations.

Following the most recent presidential election, the need for more financial backing for other candidates was extremely evident. Through discovery and education, the realization came that those who voted for Trump did so, not necessarily because they completely supported him, nor thought him capable to do the job well but because they wanted a change from Obama. “I wanted to make an easy way for people to get involved and make a difference”, Jeremy Gottlieb, co-founder of Ground up, told CalixTech News in a recent interview; Thus, GroundUp was born.

Founded by Jeremy Gottlieb and Eli Stein, GroundUp is a platform designed to help make your voices heard. Although not ground-breaking tech, this is the first of its kind in purpose. GroundUp uses an innovative to create a simple, yet secure way for anyone to get involved. By rounding up your every-day, non-cash purchases, GroundUp donates to different democratic political campaigns on your behalf. When signing up, you have the choice of 32 swing districts. As stated on the GroundUp website, these districts are defined “as any race close enough for the Democratic candidate to win, taking into account factors such as polling data, campaign funding and district history.”

How It Works
The process to get started is simple and requires minimal effort on your part. First, you sign up on the GroundUp website, choosing one, some or all of the 32 swing districts presented. Then you enter your credit card information and GroundUp does the rest. Thereafter, the technology this company uses, rounds each purchase up to the nearest dollar. Once the change balance reaches $15, the money is automatically transferred to GroundUp, who evenly distributes the money directly to the campaigns of your choosing.

Partnership
In recent news, GroundUp announced partnership with Flippable, together the two companies are looking aiming to use GroundUp’s technology and Flippable’s data-driven network to make the donation process easy and hassle-free for exactly the candidates that matter to you. Sharing the same mission of flipping Congress blue again, this partnership will help provide the option for more financial support to the democratic candidates moving into the December 2018 elections.

Aimed at gaining grassroots support, GroundUp is here to make strides in assisting to change the political climate as we know it and fight for the issues that matter and need to be changed. The work being done here is so important and as many people as possible need to get involved, if you want to help make “meaningful change with minimal effort!” (Jeremy G, founder)

]]>http://calixtechnews.com/2018/08/groundup-a-new-wave-of-political-change/feed/02241The Anker Space NC Wireless Headphones Reviewhttp://calixtechnews.com/2018/07/the-anker-space-nc-wireless-headphones-review/
http://calixtechnews.com/2018/07/the-anker-space-nc-wireless-headphones-review/#respondSat, 14 Jul 2018 02:00:32 +0000http://calixtechnews.com/?p=2170Surprise! More headphones to talk about. The Anker Space NC Wireless Headphones are actually amazing and they are now the leader active noise cancellation technology. Anker Innovations is a massive company with a huge line of smart devices for travel, smart home and entertainment. Their innovation is led by five brands: Anker, Soundcore, Eufy, Roav and Nebula. The first two brands aforementioned, Anker and Soundcore, are the ones who engineered the Space NC Headphones since Anker is the global leader in charging technology and Soundcore is deeply passionate about developing perfect sound. We first saw these headphones at Pepcom 2018, a super fun tech event where a lot of cool products were being showcased, and we were lucky enough to get our own pair of these incredible headphones to test and try out.

The Space NC Wireless headphones are equipped with 40mm dynamic to deliver the perfect audio quality. The cuffs are fabricated with ergonomic memory foam and over-ear cushioning with an adjustable headband to boot. You can enjoy twenty hours of playtime in wireless NC mode or, for added fun, fifty hours of playtime in wired NC mode (that’s a lot of hours). The best part, though, is the touch panel where you can control the music you are listening to without having to touch a single device. Also included is a built-in mic with cVc call noise reduction.

One of the reason why Anker is now a leader in cancelling out noise is because of the Space NC Headphones’ hybrid active noise cancellation technology. It blocks out up to 93% of low frequency engine noise and up to 96% of high-frequency sounds such as voices and loud car horns. So you can just swag walk around with pure bliss, bouncing along to music with amazing quality. All of this is complete with a hard carrying case, an audio cable and a USB charging cable. We tried out these headphones for ourselves and they were straight up awesome.

What makes these headphones more incredible is how technology like this is super expensive making headphones like these slightly inaccessible for most consumers. Engineers at Soundcore have worked effortlessly to break the boundaries of quality and cost to provide a fantastic experience at a more than fair price. That is why the Anker Space NC Wireless Headphones are retailed at around $100…. Just drink it all in. Soundcore and Anker’s main goal was to provide the perfect sound at the best price and they have definitely succeeded. We cannot thank the people at Anker Innovations enough for letting us try these because they are the definition of perfect sound quality. The Anker Space NC wireless headphones are available in stock now so get air if you can. Until then, don’t forget to check out more tech stuff at Calixtechnews.com.

]]>http://calixtechnews.com/2018/07/the-anker-space-nc-wireless-headphones-review/feed/02170Father’s Day Gift Guidehttp://calixtechnews.com/2018/06/fathers-day-gift-guide/
http://calixtechnews.com/2018/06/fathers-day-gift-guide/#respondSun, 17 Jun 2018 15:32:00 +0000http://calixtechnews.com/?p=2127Happy Father’s Day! We at CalixtechNews have handpicked some cool gadgets to help you guys figure out what to get for your pops this weekend. This is our official Father’s Day Gift Guide (June 2018).

First up we have the Tile Mate. I know for a fact that my dad forgets his keys all the time and he’s even lost his phone one time. That is why Tile mate is perfect for Father’s day because of they’re small locating devices that help you find your, phone, keys, wallet, anything. They come in four packs and cost around $40 so you if haven’t lost your wallet yet I suggest getting this as a gift for your father.
Next is the Jabra Move Wireless Headphones.We talk a lot about Jabra and their endless line of great quality sound products. The Jabra Move Wireless Headphones are awesome, fashionable headphones with a high-quality sound and an amazing battery life. You can play up to eight hours and have twelve hours of standby. Priced at $100, it comes with Bluetooth connectivity so you can and if there are any sound or connectivity troubles the headphones come with an optional 3.5mm cable. Again, we talk about Jabra and their products and this is no exception. I wish I could expand more on this but all you need to know is that they are great headphones that deliver good sound and remarkable battery life. This is definitely deemed as a great Father’s day gift.
Our next gift on the list is the Garmin Spark Plus and it is magnificent for those family road trips. It comes with a built-in dash cam and you can stick in your car easily. The Spark plus is also equipped with Amazon Alexa and you can connect it your car stereo so you check traffic, activate Spotify, and of course get directions with no problem at all. The coolest part is being able to control your home devices straight from your car and you can play interactive games and trivia. It’s cool that Garman has teamed up with Amazon Alexa because they have produced a great product that is not only priced at around $180 but is highly qualified as a father’s day gadget.
Next is the Anker PowerCore Portable Charger. It has seven phone charges, two iPad charges and works with all devices. The Anker PowerCore portable charger has an ultra-high capacity and a high charging speed with PowerIQ all compacted in its Multi protect safety system. The whole thing weighs 12.5 ounces and costs roughly around $50 which is a good deal. This way your day won’t have road rage over a dead battery.

The next gift is a Virtual Archer and this possibly the best gift idea so far. It’s a small bow and arrow that helps you practice archery in virtual reality. It’s compatible with iPhones and Androids so all you have to do is slot your smartphone into the bow, make sure you download the archery game app and just shoot your way through hours of augmented reality gameplay. Practice your virtual archery skills outside or inside without the dangers of the arrows. As someone who likes archery this definitely one of my favorite gadgets. I’m honestly just going to buy this for myself and have a blast with it because it combines Archery smartphones and AR gaming, you can’t top this.

Next on our list is the Soundlink Revolve Bluetooth Speaker by Bose. Again another speaker that produces great sound and battery life, sixteen hours to be exact. This Bluetooth speaker is water resistant and has bumpers so it won’t break or short out when you drop it near the swimming pool next time you are barbequing. With the Siri or the Google Now app, voice activation is a snap. Call people on speakerphone is way more efficient and easier and can be accessed through the Bose Connect App. It is beautifully designed and costs $300 dollars but it is definitely worth it for Father’s Day if you want your dad to throw a real party when the next family BBQ rolls around.

And finally, we have the DJI Spark Drone. This is the cool flying gadget that is built with 12-megapixel camera drone that takes 1080p video. It is programmed with GPS, can automatically dodge obstacles and can “return to home” with the push of a button. The DJI spark comes with a controller but it can also be controlled with your smartphone. Normally drones are super expensive but this one costs $400 and ironically that’s pretty cheap. I mean come on, a cheap video shooting drone? This has to be on the list because it is definitely a great gift for not even for Father’s day but for birthdays and Christmas. I know I praised the virtual archer a bit but this may be the gift to end all gifts.

]]>http://calixtechnews.com/2018/06/fathers-day-gift-guide/feed/02127Overwatch: Tips For New Playershttp://calixtechnews.com/2016/06/overwatch-tips-for-new-players/
http://calixtechnews.com/2016/06/overwatch-tips-for-new-players/#respondWed, 15 Jun 2016 22:28:25 +0000http://calixtechnews.com/?p=1136With several million players already logging on to join in Blizzards take on the FPS genre (totally making up for StarCraft: Ghost), Overwatch is certainly the smash hit we had expected it to be, and have been offering gamers a fresh take on the FPS genre, mixing in elements of other genres that Blizzard is more versed in, such as MOBAs and RPGs, but on a very light scale. Despite these small deviations from the formula, Overwatch remains a solid FPS experience, albeit one that requires a slightly sharp learning curve to really master.

Image: CalixTech New

Overwatch is not your typical breed of FPS. Instead of picking up weapons in the field or selecting customized loadouts, you pick a specific character that has it’s own weapons, skills, abilities and traits. This is the MOBA element Blizzard has added to the games formula, which adds a layer of depth and replay value not present in other FPS titles. This ensures the game stays fresh, making players adapt to different play styles and threats that are not shared among the opposing team equally. Learning how to get around this difficulty hurdle can and will ensure you’ll rise up the ranks quicker than your adversaries.

Decide your role. Unlike other FPS titles, the primary objective of Overwatch is not to constantly engage your opponents in a mad dash for points and scoreboard recognition. While there are characters that are appropriate for a rush-style approach, there are others that have a support role and also shine when it comes to defense and being a detriment to the opposing team. Play through all of the classes first and see what suits your fancy. Remember, scoring in this game is an equal opportunity effort, classes that are not focused on fragging still have other means of contributing to the team significantly.

Image: CalixTech News

Consider who is on your team. Consider this. In a game that promotes synergy between each of the character types, will a team composing of one type win? Absolutely not, as they will not be able to counter the balances offense and defense of the opposing team. When playing with a set group of friends, make sure you balance out your team and consider what abilities are best for the strategies you have in place. While there is no “magic” team composition, the amount of possible combinations will result in a dearth of strategies and setups to experiment with and hone.

Image: CalixTech News

Take it slow, and use strategy. The first thing new players will notice is that Overwatch is not a “twitch” shooter. There is no sprinting, dodge rolls, cover system or double jumps. Your player moves at a reasonable speed (which can be altered by class abilities) and precision with shots relies on being judicious with your movements and aiming. Going gung-ho into a firefight will almost certainly get your killed, but a methodical approach will typically net you the jump on your opponents and a successful assault.

]]>http://calixtechnews.com/2016/06/overwatch-tips-for-new-players/feed/01136A Closer Look At 4K Gaming With The PS4.5http://calixtechnews.com/2016/04/a-closer-look-at-4k-gaming-with-the-ps4-5/
http://calixtechnews.com/2016/04/a-closer-look-at-4k-gaming-with-the-ps4-5/#respondThu, 14 Apr 2016 17:12:15 +0000http://calixtechnews.com/?p=987The gaming world is currently abuzz with the current dearth of rumors surrounding Sony’s supposed “upgrade” to the PS4, the PS4.5. Though no major new features have been confirmed, the hype is mostly centered on the possibility of 4K gaming with the console. Touting an “upgraded GPU” that is assumed to handle a variant of 4K gaming and access to the PS VR, the PS4.5 is clearly an aesthetic and technical upgrade to an already stellar console. Not content with keeping afloat, Sony wishes to go full speed ahead, riding the momentum and success of their current console.

“4K” is currently the hot buzzword floating around when it comes to televisions and home media. As we finally come off consumer infatuation with anything labeled “1080p”, 4K televisions offer 4x the resolution and have been following the trend of rapidly shrinking in price as different models saturate the market. Given that these televisions are readily available and affordable to the general consumer, it makes sense that Sony wishes to flow with the trend and make their game console compatible.

Though the PS4.5 is being as a 4K gaming console, 4K output has been already possible on the PS4. The system is able to output pictures and video in 4K resolution, but it cannot do 4K gaming. Given that the PS4 is marketed as a “games first” console (as opposed to the Xbox One, which tries to be a complete home entertainment solution), shooting for a 4K gaming experience would be a sound business move, most likely allowing for co-branding in the future with Sony 4K televisions. This is similar to Sony’s aggressive marketing strategy with 3D televisions and the PS3, even going as far as releasing a dedicated 24” LED 3D set for the console. Given that Sony wishes to keep their lead-position in the console gaming market, as well as using their consoles to further the ubiquitous usage with other media devices, 4K gaming seems not to far off on the horizon.

Though the PS4.5 sounds as if it will be able to handle 4K gaming out of the box, it may not be what we are expecting. Bear in mind that 4K technology is still high-end tech, therefore not feasible for adaption to a game console. Given that most high end, enthusiast-level PCs sometimes chug with displaying 4K, this definitely counts game consoles out. This clashes with the numerous reports that the PS4.5 will be a 4K ready console right out of the box. Unless the console itself costs upwards to $3000 and comes with other features to justify the price, we may need to wait for more information from Sony before we can see what the PS4.5 is being built for.

]]>http://calixtechnews.com/2016/04/a-closer-look-at-4k-gaming-with-the-ps4-5/feed/0987Xbox Live Games With Gold Keeps On Giving: January 2016http://calixtechnews.com/2016/01/xbox-live-games-with-gold-keeps-on-giving-january-2016/
http://calixtechnews.com/2016/01/xbox-live-games-with-gold-keeps-on-giving-january-2016/#respondTue, 19 Jan 2016 16:28:46 +0000http://calixtechnews.com/?p=769If you have played through everything you have received for the holidays and are looking for something new to play this weekend, Xbox Live Gold members are in for a real treat. For the second half of January 2016, the Games with Gold titles will be the stellar RPG/FPS Deus Ex: Human Revolution and the newly released Zheros.

One of the definitive games of the previous generation, Deus Ex: Human Revolution serves as a prequel to the PC masterpiece Deus Ex, released by ION Storm back in 2000. Set 25 years before the events of the first game in a world dominated by mega-corporations, the player is treated to exceptional gameplay, a stellar score, and the opportunity to deal with issues such as extreme poverty, mobilizations, human survival and the ethics behind advancing humanity through cybernetic methods and implants. The game does not simply skim over these issues and they are central to the games immersing plot, puling you into a game that is a rather huge narrative achievement in storytelling.

Image: CalixTech News

Zheros, a brand new release for the Xbox One, take the now-obscure but rather niche beat-em-up genre of decades past and gives it a current gen boost. Featuring intense brawling, lots of combos and a bright, cartoonish sci-fi atmosphere, it is a different track than that of the recent attempts to revitalize the genre which usually place it in the tried-and-true inner-city settings. The games combo system is very rewarding, giving you props and extra items for lengthy string of attacks with momentum. If you’re yearning for a real workout for your thumbs, pick this up.

Image: CalixTech News

As an added bonus, Gold subscribers can also pick up the Killer Instinct Season One Ultra Edition for free as well, which will surely add a substantial amount of new players to the fledgling exclusive fighter. One of the main drawbacks to the game was that it was primarily DLC-driven, making players plunk down additional cash to really enjoy the game. Now players can jump right into the action with several characters right from the get-go, along with additional content added. These the two games and this incredible bonus, this month is shaping up to be a good month to own an Xbox One.

Image: CalixTech News

]]>http://calixtechnews.com/2016/01/xbox-live-games-with-gold-keeps-on-giving-january-2016/feed/0769The Future Is Here, And It Doesn’t have Killer Robots (Yet)http://calixtechnews.com/2016/01/the-future-is-here-and-it-doesnt-have-killer-robots-yet/
http://calixtechnews.com/2016/01/the-future-is-here-and-it-doesnt-have-killer-robots-yet/#respondWed, 06 Jan 2016 08:11:54 +0000http://calixtechnews.com/?p=711In today’s world, humans are still putting a tremendous amount of effort into freeing us from the menial tasks we would rather not tackle regularly. With the advent of servo-mechanisms allowing robots to follow direction with precision or instantly correct any mistake or misstep, it is only a matter of time before many of the professions and the tasks we’ve kept in the human spectrum for centuries become simplified to the point of a robot doing it much more efficiently than any human body or mind could conceive. This rapid change in robotics, riding on the coattails of the ongoing revolutions in personal and mobile computing, is most evident in the home.

Though robotics are generally seen as a technology that is advancing for the sake of commercial, industrial and military use, the applications for this technology in our homes are still quite relevant and more necessary than ever. Read on for a few examples of how an automated, intelligent machine can make your daily life easier.

Robomow RS

Image: Robomow

The Robomow RS is one of those many devices that make you throw your hands up in surprise, wondering why this was not funded and released on a wide scale earlier. Growing up in New Jersey, I can easily identify with the annoyance of maintaining a perfect lawn in my parents’ neighborhood (and the fines associated with neglecting to do so). Especially when nature is your own worst enemy and you are allergic to tree pollen. Just like many devices Ron Popeil has hawked to us on early morning infomercials, you can simply set the Robomow to perform It’s task and leave it be until it has finished. The Robomow can use sensors to detect moisture and humidity and alter it’s behaviors based on the data it collects. It also can be set to mow specific zones of your lawn, turn off as soon as it it lifted at an angle and can independently enter and leave it’s base charging station. Remember the “World of Tomorrow” from the 60’s? One of its brainchildren has arrived.

Let’s move onto something that does not perform a household service, but it quite practical in form and function.

Kibo

Image: Kibo

Kibo is less of a service robot and entirely a learning robot for small children. Designed for ages 4 and up, children will be able to customize and construct a two-wheeled robot that will be capable of carrying out commands given to it through some colorful wooden blocks. These blocks are printed with bar codes that are entered (or scanned) in sequence. While very simplistic, this can be considered a sign that toys will become as digitized as every other once-analog device has become, or is becoming. Given how computers will steadily become more and more ubiquitous with our lives, it only figures that we entertain our children with toys that reflect that. Consider it the evolution of LEGO, K’Nex and Erector sets.

Litter-Robot

Image: LitterRobot

Lets face it, cleaning a litter box is the most unpleasant task of owning a cat. Though contained boxes and improved formulas in litter that dissipate the odor, it is still an egregious task to empty the contents after a week. Enter the Litter-Robot, which aims to reduce the human intervention of this task as much as possible while keeping the room it is stationed within fresh. It is equipped with a built in sensor that knows when your cat has made use of the device, then using the built-in tray to roll around the contents, sifting them into a waste tray for very quick and easy disposal. It also eliminates the need for surgical cleaning, as it will dump the waste into liners that quickly wrap up once detached. The carbon filters also keep any odor out of the area, along this to be stored generally anywhere, eliminating the need to store the device strategically out of the way.

]]>http://calixtechnews.com/2016/01/the-future-is-here-and-it-doesnt-have-killer-robots-yet/feed/0711PEPCOM: Wine, Dine & Demo 2015http://calixtechnews.com/2015/12/pepcom-wine-dine-demo-2015/
http://calixtechnews.com/2015/12/pepcom-wine-dine-demo-2015/#respondTue, 01 Dec 2015 04:30:55 +0000http://calixtechnews.com/?p=514This year, PEPCOMs Wine, Dine & Demo event at the metropolitan pavilion in New York proved to be a must see. Whether it was a new mobile device, the next innovation in desktop computing, home appliances that are ubiquitous with automated homes or a fully digitized stroller, each manufacturer and concept team put on their absolute best to entice the interest of the industries heavy hitters and the press. The wine & dine part of the event was also no disappointment. Great wine and great food in the same room with some of techs heavy hitters and a few interesting start ups. These are just a few of the companies and products featured at the event; watch out for more PEPCOM related articles in the future.

Acer

When it comes to the tried but true power PC builds, Acer seems to have stolen the show and a cemented a stronghold on the market. Debuting a range of laptops and desktops from casual usage to hardcore gaming, Acer made sure there was something for everyone and showing no bias to one particular market. The show-stopper was their game-changing Predator G6 Desktop, equipped to make sure you can run titles such as Fallout 4 with absolutely no issues at peak framerate. If anything, the spec of this system are nothing short of incredible:

What seems to be more of a muscle-PC than anything, the specs do more than speak for themselves. The CPU comes with “One-Punch” overclocking complimented with an IceTunnel cooling system to handle the excess heat from higher speeds. The GTX 980 also supports UHD 4K/2K, supporting up to a 3840 x 2160 display. Expansion was also a consideration, as the rig contains a front-facing Acer Easy-swap expansion bay that can hold up to 12TB of storage space, which is also expandable with an up to 512GB SSD. This is definitely a system to look out for.

Kingston

Proving once again that they are the enthusiast’s choice when it comes to memory, Kingston used their presence at the show to flex their memory muscle once more. HyperX, a division of Kingston Technology, announced the launch of higher-capacity additions to the Savage and Predator line of DDR4 memory and further expanding upon an already speedy set of memory.

Both lines of memory cater to hardcore gamers and enthusiasts, the Savage now clocking in at 2666MHz with a 128GB kit of eight, each DIMM containing 16GB of RAM. The Predator set clocks in at 3000MHz in 32GB kits of two and 64GB kits of four. The built in XMP ready profiles are optimized for Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, as well as Intel 10 series and X99 chipsets. This will allow for easy overclocking without having to make any changes in the BIOS, which will be quite the boon for the enthusiast crowd.

D-Link

D-Link has made another foray into the home automation market by debuting the Komfy system, a full solution for home security. At it’s core, the Komfy system seems to provide home surveillance initially. Though that is it’s primary function, it can monitor far more than movement within your home. Aside from offering 1080p full HD video, you can also control your lights remotely, utilize sound/motion detection, air quality detection, temperature sensor and a humidity sensor. The focus here is not home security, but maintaining the delicate balance of comfort and climate that affects both you and your family. A bit less “busy” in Control4 and similar setups and just as effective.

Continuing the trend of shying away from style-over-substance headphone trends that the Beats headphones had created, Altec Lansing showcased a line of new, stylish yet well-performing headphones for sport, relaxation and serious music lovers. For the jogger, the In-Ear Sport earphones will ensure you will no longer be bothered with the cumbersome feeling of a cord wrapping around your arm, as these headphones are Bluetooth with a solid signal. These marine-grade IP67-rated buds are water-resistant, feature a 20-hour Li-ion battery with integrated microphone and also include song/phone navigation buttons.

For the music lover, the Evolution headphones offer a good bang for the buck, as touted by AL. The headphones feature 40mm neodymium drivers, a flat tangle-free detachable cord, integrated microphone and dual 3.5mm connectors for easy sharing. The final set, the Kickback, is for the professional DJ or the serious listener. This one features rotating ear cups that swivel towards the back of the head instead of the front of the face, making these headphones VERY effective for the professional spinner.

Acronis

As a sign of the growing market in cloud storage, Acronis has launched their data and file backup solution True Image. Instead of touting the usual draws of limitless storage and affordable plans, the focus on True Image is seamless ease of use and solving the usual aches and pains of today’s cloud storage options as well as full image backup.

Covers PCs, Macs, Android and iOS devices, as well as Windows tablets

Online dashboard allows you manage multiple device backups from one place at any location via web browser

Unlimited cloud space is perfect for large files and archives, and offers personal archiving capabilities for file/data organization

Image: Acronis

True Image also hosts upload speeds that are up to 50% faster than their competition, AES-256 encryption and optimization for Windows 10 users.

RIF6

Though that have become ubiquitous with the business and office environment, projectors for home use have not been at the forefront of popular technological advancement, but strides have been made in making the devices more accessible and less expensive. Eliminating the need for large devices or ones which are expensive to maintain, the Cube from RIF6 is an extremely small, compact and wildly mobile projector that works on the go in no time flat with your mobile devices

Image: RIF6

LED Light Source (RGB)

854×480 WGA Resolution

120 inch / 304 cm image size

microSD/MHL/HDMI input

50 lumen brightness

20,000 hour bulb life

.3 pounds

While the specs seem a bit underwhelming compared to the usual ones we see with traditional projectors, keep in mind that this item is not traditional. The mobility and convenience of use make it a stellar product out of the box, and etches out as much quality as it’s small frame can output which is quite the accomplishment. For those who do not need a large view, or are working in small spaces, this is perfect and practical.